Brandon Cornett's Blog, page 15

Ten Different Ways to Start a Zombie Apocalypse Story

A while back, I wrote an article that offered zombie story ideas for writers of horror and speculative fiction. It’s now the most popular article on this blog, in terms of traffic and readership. I didn’t expect that, but it’s fun to watch.

That article also generated quite a few questions and comments from readers. And one question in particular rises to the top: How do you actually start a zombie apocalypse story or novel?

So here you go, a fresh batch of story starters for speculat...

The Different Ways to Start a Zombie Apocalypse Story

A while back, I wrote an article that offered zombie story ideas for writers of horror and speculative fiction. Its now the most popular article on this blog, in terms of traffic and readership. I didnt expect that, but its fun to watch.

That article also generated quite a few questions and comments from readers. And one question in particular rises to the top: How do you actually start a zombie apocalypse story or novel? So lets discuss!

Starting Your Story Before or After the Outbreak

As a...

Writing Apocalyptic Fiction: Story Ideas, World Building & More

Apocalyptic fiction has enthralled readers for centuries. For as long as weve understood our place in the world, weve told stories about how that world might end. Thats what drives many people to these stories in the first place a curiosity about the nature of existence.

Writing apocalyptic fiction has its own appeal as well, especially for those writers who like to envision a world beyond our own. Writing within this genre gives you an opportunity to wipe the slate clean, so to speak, and...

How to Write a Good Science Fiction Novel: A 10-Point Plan

How do you write a good science fiction novel?

Talk about a big question. You could fill up a college semester or two answering that one. You could write a series of books on the subject. And many writers before me have offered their two cents. Just Google how to write a good science fiction novel, and youll find plenty of good advice.

But lets tackle it anyway, shall we? Lets look at some of the steps you can take in your quest to write a good, or even great, sci-fi novel.

How to Write a...

Doomsday Fiction: Post-Apocalyptic Scenarios & Story Ideas for Writers

Looking for some post-apocalyptic story ideas and scenarios to fuel your next writing project? You’ve come to the right place. We’re about to take a deep dive into the world of apocalypse fiction. We’ll also be exploring some fresh ideas for a post-apocalyptic novel or short story.

Readers and writers alike flock to post-apocalyptic fiction when they want to envision a world beyond our own. This literary genre combines elements of science fiction and horror, often with thrilling results.

...

What Is the New Halloween Kills Movie About? Endurance!

What is the new Halloween Kills movie about? It’s about longevity, for one thing. Michael Myers, the masked killer who first slashed his way onto the big screen in 1978, is still going strong. Evidently, “retirement” is not in his dictionary.

What is Halloween Kills going to be about?

Let’s start with the most burning question here (and if you saw the last installment in this franchise, you’ll recognize the pun). What is Halloween Kills going to be about?

Halloween Kills movie poster.

There...

How to Start a Horror or Suspense Novel: Options for Writers

Starting a novel can be difficult, even for the most experienced of writers. Starting a horror or suspense novel can be even harder. There’s a lot that needs to happen within those first few pages and chapters. And readers have high expectations. Here are some things to consider as you start down the dark and twisty path…

How do you start a horror or suspense story? On the surface, this seems like a simple question that should have an equally simple answer. But it’s not that easy.

The...

A Horror-Based Reality TV Show: Welcome to Purgatory

Interested in horror reality TV shows? If so, I’ve got just the thing for you. It’s a novel called Purgatory, and it will take you on a wild ride. Here’s how it came into existence…

A few years ago, I latched onto the idea of combining multiple types of horror within the same novel. But I could never find a way to make it work — at least, not to my liking. I would start down one path, hit a brick wall, hop over to another path. This went on for quite some time.

Then I got the idea for a...

The First Post-Apocalyptic Novels: The Last Man, and After London

Gather ’round, ye lords and ladies. We’re traveling back in time to Georgian and Victorian England, to discover two of the first post-apocalyptic novels ever written…

Recently, while writing a rambling love letter to the post-apocalyptic fiction genre, I began to wonder about the origins of that genre. (Or subgenre, if you like.) When and where did it all start? What was the first post-apocalyptic novel? Who were the first writers to tackle this weighty subject, and why?

Today, most literary...

Vampires Taking Over the World: Story Ideas for Writers

This is part of an ongoing series that offers story ideas and prompts for writers of speculative fiction. In a previous blog post, I offered some ideas for writing a sci-fi horror novel by blending elements from those genres.

Today, we’ll talk about another story idea that has vast potential … vampires taking over the world.

Vampires Taking Over the World: A Novel Approach

Vampire novels and short stories go way back. In literature, the concept of vampirism dates back to the 1800s, and...